PC5002 - Case Study - DSM-V
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) has been created to facilitate mental health professionals to correspond in applying a common diagnostic language. The first precursor was published in 1917, followed by the first DSM in 1952. The first versions of the DSM had now questionable concepts and suggestions. To avoid these mistakes and because of a constant evolving of psychological concepts and the understanding of mental health, the DSM is constantly being updated, with the 5th Edition published to date.
To evaluate the given case study, the DSM-V criteria will be used. The information on hand gives many possibilities of various personality disorders. To indicate the possible personality …show more content…
It is described as „(a) pervasive pattern of social inhibitation“. (DSM V——) To be diagnosed with an Avoidant Personality Disorder at least four out of seven criteria must be met. In the case study the criteria seems to be fulfilled, in terms that she is avoiding interpersonal contact, she is unwilling to get involved in social activities and is constrained in new interpersonal situations. These criteria can be seen in the case study, when she is described as not taking part in conversations, sitting alone and therefore excluding herself. Even though these criteria seem to be met, more information would be needed to understand why she is socially unapproachable. For the Avoidant Personality Disorder the criteria is met in those terms, that the overall way she is acting concurs with the behaviour described in the DSM, but the reasons for her behaviour e.g. the way she is feeling are not mentioned in the case at all. The avoidance of making new friends, not joining group activities, withholding information about herself and …show more content…
In this case, she seems to have an additional Social Anxiety Disorders also known as Social Phobia. A Social Anxiety Disorder is described as a „(m)arked fear or anxiety about one or more social situation“ DSM-V blabla. Social interactions are defined as meeting unfamiliar people, performances in front of or being observed by others, as well as having general conversations. Indications for the disorder in this case study is the description of her being lonely, avoidant towards any social interactions by sitting alone and not speaking any more than she has to. Evaluating these factors, the anxiety/fear is unproportional to the actual thread. However, to the diagnosed the anxiety is persistent, causes significant distress to various areas of functioning and social interactions are only endured with acute anxiety and fear. Due to the intense anxiety and fear which emerges from these interactions the diagnosed excludes herself promptly, which can be seen in her leaving as soon as any contact has been made. In regard to the Avoidant Personality Disorder there is a recurring theme of the fear of being negatively evaluated. As the Social Anxiety Disorder affects crucial areas of the patients life, cognitive behavioural therapy including exposure therapy could be a treatment plan. Other treatments can involve social skills training, symptom management skills and cognitive restructuring.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) has been created to facilitate mental health professionals to correspond in applying a common diagnostic language. The first precursor was published in 1917, followed by the first DSM in 1952. The first versions of the DSM had now questionable concepts and suggestions. To avoid these mistakes and because of a constant evolving of psychological concepts and the understanding of mental health, the DSM is constantly being updated, with the 5th Edition published to date.
To evaluate the given case study, the DSM-V criteria will be used. The information on hand gives many possibilities of various personality disorders. To indicate the possible personality …show more content…
It is described as „(a) pervasive pattern of social inhibitation“. (DSM V——) To be diagnosed with an Avoidant Personality Disorder at least four out of seven criteria must be met. In the case study the criteria seems to be fulfilled, in terms that she is avoiding interpersonal contact, she is unwilling to get involved in social activities and is constrained in new interpersonal situations. These criteria can be seen in the case study, when she is described as not taking part in conversations, sitting alone and therefore excluding herself. Even though these criteria seem to be met, more information would be needed to understand why she is socially unapproachable. For the Avoidant Personality Disorder the criteria is met in those terms, that the overall way she is acting concurs with the behaviour described in the DSM, but the reasons for her behaviour e.g. the way she is feeling are not mentioned in the case at all. The avoidance of making new friends, not joining group activities, withholding information about herself and …show more content…
In this case, she seems to have an additional Social Anxiety Disorders also known as Social Phobia. A Social Anxiety Disorder is described as a „(m)arked fear or anxiety about one or more social situation“ DSM-V blabla. Social interactions are defined as meeting unfamiliar people, performances in front of or being observed by others, as well as having general conversations. Indications for the disorder in this case study is the description of her being lonely, avoidant towards any social interactions by sitting alone and not speaking any more than she has to. Evaluating these factors, the anxiety/fear is unproportional to the actual thread. However, to the diagnosed the anxiety is persistent, causes significant distress to various areas of functioning and social interactions are only endured with acute anxiety and fear. Due to the intense anxiety and fear which emerges from these interactions the diagnosed excludes herself promptly, which can be seen in her leaving as soon as any contact has been made. In regard to the Avoidant Personality Disorder there is a recurring theme of the fear of being negatively evaluated. As the Social Anxiety Disorder affects crucial areas of the patients life, cognitive behavioural therapy including exposure therapy could be a treatment plan. Other treatments can involve social skills training, symptom management skills and cognitive restructuring.